Author profile
Lloyd Oppel, MD, MHSc, FCFP(Em)
For over 3 decades, Doctors of BC has understood the importance of being able to communicate with the public, doctors, government, and others on matters of disease prevention and issues of public health in ways that... Read More
What is kombucha? Kombucha is a popular fermented black or green tea that attracts customers with its unique mix of fruity and sweet-and-sour flavors, promises of low sugar content, and a variety of alleged health... Read More
On a recent road trip I had occasion to use a rest-stop washroom. As I washed my hands I noted the instructions above the sink encouraging hand washing to prevent influenza and other infectious diseases, and then I... Read More
First steps Since the Neolithic Revolution 12 000 years ago, people have sought to make lasting alterations to the environment to meet their needs. The first stairs were thought to be simply hewn logs or stones... Read More
My children were angry at me. It was another scorching summer day and the “waterpark” Dad built in the backyard was not operational due to water restrictions. Incredibly, in rainy Vancouver, a poor winter snowfall... Read More
The element mercury has long captured people’s imaginations. A silvery liquid at room temperature, this heavy metal has historically enjoyed an exalted status that belies its potent toxicity. Mercury comes from a... Read More
Illness prevention and health care promotion are the driving forces behind the work that Doctors of BC’s Council on Health Promotion (COHP) and its five subcommittees (Athletics and Recreation, Emergency Medical... Read More
While an estimated 12% to 20% of transition-age youth (15 to 24 years old) in British Columbia suffer from some form of mental illness, the majority will not seek professional intervention. The reasons for this... Read More
Urban myths come in varying shapes and sizes. Some, like JFK conspiracy theories, seem innocuous. Others, like the myth that vaccines cause autism, are of concern because of their effect on the likelihood that parents... Read More
Vaccines stand out as one of the most cost-effective health interventions in modern medicine.[1] It is estimated that immunizations have saved more Canadian lives over the last 50 years than any other health program.1... Read More